Patriot Press

Hello Patriot students and families,

The SCA has put in long hours to create a memorable Homecoming Week for our students, faculty, and staff! All Homecoming 2022 details are below; we look forward to seeing many of our alumni at the game on Friday night. The PSAT testing for all 11th graders will occur on Wednesday, October 12: we will alter our bell schedule (See schedule below); in addition, we will have our second lockdown drill this coming week.

For the class of 2023, the senior meetings have occurred in the English 12 classes; the narrated presentation is available in the Counseling Section of the newsletter.

In closing, when you hear us say WeRFC, we want you to know that means we are here to support all community members: our doors are always open, and we hope to see our families at our events, performances, and athletic competitions throughout the year.

Is there a teacher or other staff member that you feel is making a difference with your child? If so, please send a brief write up to Dr. Miani (Daniel.Miani@vbschools.com) highlighting what makes that individual so special. We want to recognize when staff members are making an impact with your child and we would love to involve our parents in that process.

We are grateful for Mr. Doane, this week's "I Make a Difference" award winner. Mr. Doane works to support our Patriots inside and outside of the classroom to ensure they have a successful high school experience.

Students may easily access FEV through Classlink Portal under FEV Tutor. Additional information about the program can be found through the FEV Tutor Informational Video. Login directions to share with students and guardians may be found using the FEV Tutor Classlink Directions.

• Monday, Oct. 10: Adam Sandler Day (1990s style, sports gear)
• Tuesday, Oct. 11: High School TV/Movie character day
• Wednesday, Oct. 12: Dress like a reality TV star
• Thursday, Oct. 13: Red Carpet glam
• Friday, Oct. 14: FC Friday- deck out in blue/yellow/white

Pep Rally – Friday, October 14th during latter portion of 4th block-all students will be dismissed for the day at the conclusion of the pep rally

*Note: all VBCPS and FC dress code rules apply.

Date: Saturday, Oct 15, 2022, 7-10 pm

Where: First Colonial HS Fred Britton Gym

· Non-FC students may attend as guests – all guests must have a guest request form on file. To obtain a guest request from, please stop by the main office

· Cost is $15.00 – CASH ONLY

· Limited number of tickets are available so buy early

· Ticket Sales – Monday, October 10 – Friday, October 14 during all lunches. No tickets will be sold after 10/14/2022!

ALL 11th grade students will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. To accommodate the testing schedule, First Colonial will modify the bell schedule (see below). The testing locations for students and other information will be distributed by their teachers.

Attention AP Students and Parents:

You have been instructed by your AP teacher to join their AP Classroom through College Board. If you have not done so, please see your teacher ASAP for further instructions. It is mandatory for all AP students to join their teacher's AP Classroom regardless of their intention to take the AP exam.

Here are a few points of emphasis regarding payment for your AP Tests:

• $97/exam fee
• Free/Reduced students - no charge but you must still register with Total Registration and request a fee waiver.
• 11/6/22 - $40/exam non-refundable deposit is due.
• 11/7/22 - 3/8/23 - registration will include a $40 late fee in addition to the $97 test fee.
• 3/9/23 - Students are no longer able to register/pay for tests, and students with a balance due will not be able to test.

Please use this link to pay for your AP Test(s):

https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/472290

Counselors’ Student Assignments

Counseling Office phone number: 757-648-5311

Counselor’s Name

Ms. Powell (Last names A - C)

Tiffany.Powell@vbschools.com

Ms. Wagner (Last names D - Ham)

Talesha.Wagner@vbschools.com

Ms. Mayes (Last names Han - Mar)

Judy.Mayes@vbschools.com

Ms. Kelly (Last names Mas - Ros)

Alexus.Thomas@vbschools.com

Mr. Miller (Last names Rot - Z)

Andrew.Miller@vbschools.com

Ms. Tomao (All Legal Studies Academy students)

Adrienne.Tomao@vbschools.com

Please do not hesitate to contact your student's school counselor. We are here to ensure that your student has the necessary resources to be successful at First Colonial.

Counselors are now meeting with seniors to provide Senior Graduation Credit Letters, Transcripts, and career and college resources. Senior parents are encouraged to review the Senior Video.

The PowerPoint contains contact information for the ACCESS advisor, the TCC Career Advisor, the link for Parent to join the Class of 2023 REMIND app., and college application and scholarship tips. If you need assistance, contact your senior’s school counselor.

School counselors met with seniors in term 1 English via their English class during October 3-6 and meet with seniors in term 2 English individually during the week of October 10-14. During these meetings, counselors will review graduation requirements, plans after high school and discuss the college and scholarship application process. Students will receive a notice of senior graduation status, a high school transcript and a Parchment (electronic transcript service) registration form to bring home and share with parents/guardians. LSA seniors have met with their school counselor, Ms. Tomao and received this information.

Join the class of 2023 Senior Remind

Seniors text @86g99c3 to 81010 to join

Parents text @394992 to 81010 to join

Scholarship information will be announced through the remind app.

We ask that only seniors and their parents join this due to limited spots available.

Save the Date

Who: First Colonial vs Tallwood

When: Friday, October 14 at 7 pm

Where: Frank Webster Field

· All tickets must be purchased online at www.gofan.co – NO CASH SALES AT THE GATES

· Homecoming festivities will occur during half-time

Please be sure to check out our web page and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events, opportunities, and to become a PTSA member. These links are listed below and can be found on the school website under PTSA.

https://firstcolonialhs.vbschools.com/

https://sites.google.com/view/firstcolonialhighschoolptsa/home

https://patriots.new.memberhub.store/store - PTSA Membership Signup

The PTSA Executive Board has approved our 2022-2023 Operating Budget. Click on the link to review the budget and any questions, you can email Sue Genzler, PTSA Treasurer, genzler@verizon.net.

We are looking forward to a great school year.

Amanda Hutton

FCHS PTSA President

Date: October 13, 2022

Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center

Time: 5-8 pm

38,000 bags with 10 shelf-stable food items in each were distributed last school year—doubling the number of bags distributed in the prior school year. Any child can receive one anonymously through their school, typically a school counselor or social worker. Should you need more information or to verify your Beach Bag representative, please call our office at 263-1337.

Students in the Cybersecurity Systems Technology class at the Advanced Technology Center refurbish donated laptops and computers, install Windows 10 and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), then update them for distribution. These computers are available to students in Virginia Beach City Public Schools who currently do not have a dedicated working computer in their home. To register a student to receive one of these free computers, complete the VA STAR application form.

Support VBCPS VBEF with your Amazon purchases. Amazon purchases can benefit the Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) and ultimately our teachers and students

School libraries offer two procedures to partner with parents and legal guardians regarding the materials that their students check out from their school libraries. The link to Destiny Discover (library catalog) and the two forms referenced below can be found at vbschools.com/parents.

A parent or legal guardian may request that their children be restricted from checking out specific titles, authors, or series. They may search their school’s Destiny Catalog via the division website to identify titles that they wish to restrict. They may then complete a “Request for Limited Access of Library Materials (Individual Student)” form and submit it to their school’s library media specialist. The child will be restricted from checking out the items from any VBCPS school library.

When library materials are intended to be used for instructional purposes, parents/legal guardians may determine whether they are appropriate for their children. Library materials are considered instructional materials when used (i) for completion of an assignment, or (ii) as part of an academic or extracurricular educational program. A parent or legal guardian may request that they be notified in advance, given the opportunity to review the material, and request an alternative when their child is attempting to check out a library item for instructional purposes. The child will be restricted from checking out the material until the parent or legal guardian has given express permission that the item may be checked out. Parents and legal guardians who wish to take advantage of this opportunity should complete a “Parent/Legal Guardian Prior Notification for Student Checkout of Library Materials to be Used for Instructional Purposes” form and submit it to their school’s library media specialist.

ATTENDANCE FAQs

• When a student is absent all day or for a portion of the day, written notice should be provided to the attendance office within three days of returning from the absence. Notes can be submitted in writing to the attendance secretary or through ParentSquare from the app or website.
• For planned multi-day absences, at least a week prior, students need to submit a form requesting approval from their principal. Forms are available in the attendance office.

• Requests for early release must be submitted in writing to the attendance office BEFORE 7:20 a.m. For the safety of students, if the school is unable to confirm with a parent/guardian, the student will not be released.

• For the safety of our students during bus dismissal, early release of students will not occur after 1:45 p.m.

ACCESS TO PARENTVUE

• Click HERE for directions to create your ParentVue account.
• If you have an account and need support, please contact 757-263-1111 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Or email parentportal@vbschools.com

CELL PHONE POLICY

The school board has made changes to the district cell phone policy, which was adopted in August of 2022. Students will not be able to utilize their personal cell phones, communication devices, and/or wireless headphones during instructional time. Students are encouraged to turn their cell phones and other devices off and put them away during all instructional time to include study blocks. We appreciate your support and attention to this change.

DRESS CODE INFORMATION

Dress guidelines are designed to promote a standard of appearance that compliments the learning environment. Students are expected to dress appropriately for the occasion. First Colonial High School students are expected to adhere to the VBCPS dress code policy.

• Clothing must not be sheer, see through or loose weaved material.

• Shirts must fully cover the chest and stomach.

• Pants or shorts must fully cover the buttocks at all times.

• Students must wear footwear at all times. Soft bottom slippers are not acceptable.

• Students must not wear sunglasses.

• Students must not wear any hat, hood, or other head covering in a manner that restricts the ability to identify the student.

• Students may not wear lewd or suggestive clothing or any apparel that advertises, glorifies, or symbolizes any illegal substances, or substances illegal for use by a minor.

LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY RELEASE REMINDERS

Late Arrival Students:

Those students with Late Arrival must enter through the main entrance upon arriving to school.

Early Release Students:

Those students that have Early Release, must immediately leave campus upon the completion of their final class. Students may not stay on-campus unless they have a pre-arranged appointment with a counselor, administrator, and/or teacher.

CLOSED CAMPUS

First Colonial is a closed-campus. We do not accept any form of deliveries during the day and ask that families respect our request to minimize visitors during school hours. All visitors must be buzzed in through our front doors and proceed directly to the security station.

First Colonial High School’s mission is to ensure students are engaged in an innovative, rigorous learning environment while integrating academics with life skills so they can reach the achievement and respect necessary for post-secondary success.

What's missing? Let us know what you are wondering or would like to see in this newsletter here.

Administrative Team

Principal, Daniel J. Miani, Ed.D.

Assistant Principal overseeing 9th grade, Mr. Michael Bedell

Assistant Principal overseeing 10th grade, Ms. Deborah Shelton

Administrative Assistant overseeing 11th grade, Ms. Donna English

Assistant Principal overseeing 12th grade, Ms. Amy Church

Legal Studies Academy Director, Ms. Angelique Phillips

School Improvement Specialist, Ms. Erin Vickrey

Connect with us on Social Media

Twitter: @FirstColonialHS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fchs.tinyurl

Instagram: @firstcolonialhs

Email: fchs@vbschools.com
Website: https://firstcolonialhs.vbschools.com/
Location: 1272 Mill Dam Road, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757.648.5300